Clamshell basket loader

• US 6,213,706 B1
• Filed: 05/24/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Original Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Inventors: Christenson, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keenan, James W.
• Application Number:
  US09/312,534
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 414/406-409, 414/487, 414/547, 414/549, 414/550, 414/555, 414/624, 414/695.5, 414/732, 414/736, 414/739, 294/2, 294/3, 294/68.23, 294/68.26
• US Class Current: 414/408
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/023 Gripper arms for embracing the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/0273 capable of rotating around a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/046 with additional means for assisting the tipping of the receptacle after or during raising
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/048 Linkages B65F3/041 takes precedence

Abstract

A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Claims

1. A dual function apparatus for acquiring and transferring material to a receiving hopper of a collection vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a) an articulated mechanized arm connected to a collection vehicle, operable between stowed, extended, lifting and dumping positions and having a free end;

b) a container grabbing mechanism comprising a pair of opposed arms connected to said free end of said mechanized arm and aligned in spaced relation operable for accessing, grasping and releasing a container of interest and a fluid-operated arm actuating system connected to said pair of arms for opening and closing said opposed arms; and

(c) a pair of opposed mechanized scoops carried by and pivotally connected to said free end of said mechanized arms and disposed to converge and diverge beneath a soft-sided container of interest and provide support in a plane generally parallel to that described by said opposed arms of said grabbing mechanism and a fluid-operated scoop actuating system connected between said free end of said mechanized arm and said opposed mechanized scoops for opening and closing said scoops.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arm actuating system and said scoop actuating system are operable separately or in concert.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said grabbing mechanism and said opposed mechanism scoops operate in parallel, generally horizontal planes when accessing a container to be emptied.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said opposed scoops are open at the top and designed to close beneath and support the bottom of a soft-sided container to be emptied.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arm actuating system and said scoop actuating system comprise double-acting hydraulic cylinders.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said grabbing mechanism and said opposed mechanized scoops operate in parallel, generally horizontal planes when accessing a container to be emptied.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said opposed scoops are open at the top and designed to close beneath and support the bottom of a soft-sided container to be emptied.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a deflection shield for deflecting the material being emptied by said apparatus connected to the free end of said articulated mechanized arm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposed scoops are open at the top and designed to close beneath and support the bottom of a soft-sided container to be emptied.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposed arms of said grabbing mechanism and said opposed mechanized scoops are connected to the free end of said articulated arm by a common support member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said articulated mechanized arm is swivel mounted.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container of interest is a soft container itself designed to be discarded.